Michigan
3-1-1
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Western Michigan
1-3-1
Early Lead, Mann Lift Wolverines to Shutout Win Over No. 18 Western Michigan
10/25/2019 11:18:00 PM | Ice Hockey
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Yost Ice Arena)
Score: Michigan 4, #18 Western Michigan 0
Records: U-M (3-1-1), WMU (1-3-1)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct. 26 -- at Western Michigan (Kalamazoo, Mich.), 7:05 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey team jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first period and sophomore goalie Strauss Mann held No. 18-ranked Western Michigan scoreless in a 4-0 victory over the Broncos on Friday night (Oct. 25) at Red Berenson Rink at Yost Ice Arena.
Less than a minute into the game, freshman Cam York found senior Will Lockwood in stride over the middle of the neutral zone. Lockwood, entering the offensive zone, took a shot that rung off the crossbar.
Minutes later, the Wolverines struck first on freshman Johnny Beecher's wrist shot at the 14:35 mark of the first period. Beecher's first career goal came off a quick release following passes from senior Luke Martin and junior Jack Becker. Martin, who battled off a couple of Western Michigan players on the sideboard, got the puck to Beecher and he ripped a shot on net that went through the five-hole of Bronco goalie Brandon Bussi.
Midway through the first period, sophomore Nolan Moyle scored Michigan's second goal of the night. Off a redirected pass from sophomore Garrett Van Wyhe, junior Dakota Raabe led the Wolverines on a 2-on-1 rush with Moyle. Raabe, reading the last line of defense for the Broncos, slid the puck on the weak side to Moyle, who put just enough on the ensuing shot for it to squeak by a diving Bussi to give the Wolverines a 2-0 lead with 12:37 remaining in the opening stanza.
Neither team scored the rest of the period and the Wolverines took their two-goal advantage into the first intermission.
Fifteen seconds into the second period, Michigan drew a slashing penalty to put the Wolverines on their fourth power-play opportunity of the game. York delivered a well-placed pass to senior Jake Slaker waiting in the far-side circle. Slaker wound up for a crisp one-timer that was put on net and Bussi gave up a rebound that senior Nick Pastujov slammed home for his second goal of the year. Pastujov's goal extended Michigan's lead to 3-0 at the 19:21 mark of the second period.
The Wolverines controlled the first half of the second period, much like they did in the first. However, in the latter stages of the second, the Broncos started to turn things around. WMU was presented with a few golden opportunities to get on the board, including a couple breakaways, but Mann held the Broncos scoreless through two periods.
Captain Lockwood opened the third-period scoring just 19 seconds in. Lockwood's goal, the 30th of his career, came from the slot and beat Bussi glove-side for a 4-0 Michigan lead. The assists came from York, his second point of the night, and redshirt junior Luke Morgan.
Mann carried the Wolverines the rest of the way and he collected his second career shutout while his 36 saves were a career best.
Michigan will conclude its weekend series with Western Michigan on Saturday (Oct. 26) when it travels to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Lawson Arena.
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